2026 Strawberry Picking Near Chicago: Best U-Pick Strawberries for Families

There’s something about strawberry picking that officially makes it feel like summer. From eating berries straight from the field to grabbing strawberry donuts afterward, it’s one of those simple family outings kids remember for years.

Most strawberry farms near Chicago open between late May and mid-June, depending on weather and crop conditions. This year it sounds like the season is going to be pushed back about a week or so due to the cooler temperatures in the spring.

In this guide, you’ll find the best U-pick strawberry farms near Chicago, a map to help plan your trip, and tips for making the most of your visit.

Strawberry Picking Map

Where to Pick Strawberries Near Chicago in 2026

Not into picking, but still want all the strawberry treats? Windy Acres Farm in Geneva has a Strawberry Festival with strawberry shortcake, strawberry slushies, strawberry funnel cakes, strawberry ice cream, strawberry donuts, and pre-picked strawberries. There’s also an attraction area. The dates this year are June 5-7 and 12-14, 2026.

Planning Your Strawberry Picking Trip

• Always call before you go picking to verify hours and crop availability.
• Ask the status of the fields, if the fields are picked over or still have a decent amount of strawberries left to pick.
• Some farms do not supply containers, while others require that you use their supplied containers. Some farms even offer a discount if you bring your own buckets. Call to check the farm’s policies before you leave.
• Ask when the fields were last sprayed. Sometimes, freshly sprayed farms make it less appetizing for sampling as you pick. It’s way more fun, especially for the kids, to pick if you can taste along the way!
• Check if wagons and strollers are allowed and if there are tractors to drive you out to help plan your trip.

What to Bring Strawberry Picking

• Consider the heat and sun while picking and dress for the weather (and the sun!). There often aren’t trees around strawberry fields so the berries can receive full sun, which means you will get full sun too! This may mean wearing a hat while picking, wearing sunscreen, and light clothing. You may also want to bring or apply bug spray before going as well.
• Pack water, and drink often! You are bent over, crawling on the ground and it is easy to get dizzy in the heat.
• Don’t wear nice clothes or shoes. Especially with kids, you almost always get strawberry juice on your clothes. Usually there is straw or mulch between the rows of plants, but depending on how much rain there has been, there could be mud underneath, too. Bring a change of clothes for the kids (and maybe yourself too)!
• Wear shoes you don’t mind getting muddy.
• Bring cash just in case, although many farms now accept cards.

Strawberry Picking Tips for Families

• Strawberries do not ripen after being removed from the plant. The size of a strawberry does not affect how sweet the fruit will taste. Many strawberries ripen under the leaves of the plant, so it helps to gently lift the leaves to look towards the center of the plant to find the good ones.
• Strawberries keep better if you pick them with the cap and stem on. Pull the strawberry at the stem with a slight twist and it should come off with the cap and stem. Don’t stress about it too much though because they are still fine without the cap and stem.
• Strawberries ripen quickly and picking conditions can change fast.
• Go early in the day for cooler temperatures and the best berry selection.

When You Get Home

• Don’t wash your strawberries until you are ready to eat them. Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
• Wash in cool water to remove dirt and store in the refrigerator. If you would like to wash some ahead of time to stash in the fridge, prepare a bowl or water with some white vinegar, gently swish the strawberries in the bowl, then drain and rinse with fresh water. The vinegar taste is rinsed off, but the strawberries will store longer.
• To freeze your strawberries: wash and hull them (cut off the green part and remove the core), dry them really well by patting them dry or laying them out to dry on your counter. Lay them on a cookie sheet covered in wax paper and put in freezer. When completely frozen, transfer them into Ziploc bags, removing as much air as you can. Strawberries will be slightly mushier than other frozen fruits when unfrozen, but they are still delicious. Berries can keep for months in the freezer, so don’t hesitate to freeze extras!

For more ways to get out and enjoy the fresh air as a family, check out our Summer Guide.